Teen bystander is fatally shot during a fight near a New York City school

 
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NEW YORK (AP) — A 16-year-old girl was killed by a stray bullet near a Bronx high school and a 14-year-old boy was being sought in connection with her death, police said.

The girl was shot in the head Monday after a fight broke out among a group of youths. Someone passed a gun to a boy who had been punched and he fired into the crowd, according to New York City police.

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“When the shots were fired, our victim, who we believe to be an unintended target, is struck and she immediately falls to the ground with a gunshot wound to the head as the other children run away for their lives,” police Commissioner Jessica Tisch told reporters at the scene.

Evette Jeffrey was taken to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Police said they were looking for a 14-year-old person of interest.

Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson said the girl’s mother is inconsolable.

“She got the worst phone call that no parent should ever get — ever — that her child was shot,” Gibson said.